Food Lion Invests $484 Million in 153 Store Renovations Across Charlotte Region

Food Lion wrapped up a $484 million investment, remodeling 153 stores across the Charlotte market in North and South Carolina. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies took place Tuesday at participating stores.

"Charlotte is a special market for us because it's our hometown," said Greg Finchum, president of Food Lion, per Globe Newswire.com. "Every enhancement is designed to meet our customers' evolving needs — whenever, wherever and however they shop with us."

The grocer started in Salisbury back in 1957. Today, it runs more than 1,100 stores in 10 states and employs over 82,000 workers. Ahold Delhaize USA owns the chain — a division of a company based in Zaandam, Netherlands.

Renovations stretched from six months to a year, Bill Scales, operations director, told the Charlotte Observer. Twenty-eight remodeled stores operate within Charlotte city limits. Prices weren't affected by the upgrades, Scales confirmed.

The refreshed stores now stock fresh produce, hand-battered fried chicken, and quality meats. Ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-heat meals sit on shelves. Self-checkout lanes were added at most spots, though regular cashier lines remain.

Fresh & simple branded meals now fill coolers at each spot, along with more desserts, breads, and cakes. Delis slice more meats and cheeses on demand. Meat counters offer oven-ready meals — salmon with asparagus, beef sirloin strip with vegetables — priced under $10.

The Local Goodness program brings 25 to 30 seasonal items from nearby growers. Fall picks? Green tomatoes, specialty squash, honey from local hives, muscadine grapes, and apples. Products from The Dutch Kettle of Hamptonville — fruit jams, jellies, barbecue sauce — stock the shelves too.

"You might find one of these farmers at a roadside stand selling their own product," Scales said, per the Charlotte Observer. "And we carry it for them as well."

LED lights cut energy use in the remodeled buildings. Refrigerated cases got doors. Some sites installed CO₂ refrigeration systems to shrink their environmental footprint. New décor, signs, and floors complete the makeover.

Food Lion To Go lets customers order groceries for pickup or home delivery across all 10 states served. Same-day pickup comes at the same prices found in stores.

Before Tuesday's ribbon-cutting ceremonies, 10 winners scored $1,000 in gift cards through random raffle drawings. The first 100 customers at each spot got giveaways and gift cards. Through Tuesday, shoppers can win prizes via scratch tickets at registers. The promotion kicked off Oct. 29.